Duluth/North Shore Sanitary District – Board of Managers

Meeting # 62

 

Date:                                        April 13, 2005                      0700

 

Board Members Present:               Kevin Bovee; Rick Certano; Lars Fladmark, chair; Mary Ann Sironen; Scott Smith

 

Board Members Absent:               None

 

Others Present:  Mel Olson, Mike Appelwick for Eric , John Miller, Clare Carpenter, Carol Surine, Mary Frances Skala, Larry Moon, Duane Herold, John Bowen, Jeff Cook, John Miller

 

Minutes to:       Jim Anklam, Eric Appelwick, Mike Appelwick, Darryl Bathel, Dan Belden, Bruce Berg, Kelli Boedigheimer, Kevin Bovee , John Bowen, Clare Carpenter, Rick Certano, Jeff Cook, City of Duluth, Duluth City Council, Duluth Township, Lars Fladmark, Greg Garmer, Jane Gilbert, Mark Gottwald, Wendy Gustofson, Scott Harder, Mark Herman, Duane Herold, Lynn Ann Hollatz, Kevin Holm , Dan Jacobson, Laurie Johnson, Al Katz, John Kessler, Lakewood Township, Nancy Larson-St. Louis County, Sue Lawson, Patti Logergren, Mike Mahoney, Joe McGaver, Don McTavish, Larry Moon, Dan Neiman, Mel Olson, PLAWCS, David Pierson, Tom Pulse, Yvonne Rutford, John Schifsky, Dale Schroeder, Dick Sigel, Mary Ann Sironen , Mary Frances Skala, Scott Smith, Kurt Soderberg, Tim Strom, George Sundstrom , Carol Surine, Peg Sweeney, John Thomas, Nelson Thomas, Jonathon Thornton, Pete Weidman, Robin Whaley, Sandy Woolum, Greg Mutchler

 

Minutes by:            Carol Surine and edited by Mary Ann Sironen

Item

Discussion

Action/Conclusion

Approve Minutes

Correction to March minutes:  the number of homes needing an I&I inspection should be listed as 10-12, not 50.

Motion by Scott Smith and seconded by Rick Certano to approve the minutes, with the amendment.  Unanimously approved.

Treasurer's report

1.       Clare Carpenter distributed the Request to Pay invoices for a total of $44,962.52.

2.       Bank Balance – April 13, 2005  is $459,369.40

3.       Rick Certano requested a list of names of the unpaid customers.

4.       Clare Carpenter took the files to the State Auditor’s office. Wayne Parsons will turn over the D/NSSD work to Greg Mutchler.

5.       Rick Certano asked how the transfer to Eikill & Schilling was coming.  Clare Carpenter said she had not heard anything.

1. Motion by Kevin Bovee to pay the outstanding invoices and approve the Treasurer’s report.  Scott Smith seconded. Unanimously approved. 

 

3.  The request will be forwarded to Eric Appelwick.

5.  Rick Certano said he would call Greg Mutchler.

There were no public comments.

Updates

Jeff Cook

1.      Greenwood Rd is still in tough shape; it has been graded, but more class 5 gravel needs to be added.  Several manhole covers remain unburied or too close to the surface. Snowplows have hit and damaged at least one.  Now that the snow has melted, there are starting to be complaints of soil washouts from customers who were connected late last year.

2.      Recommends someone from the board attend MWOA (MN Waste Operators Assn).  It’s a 3-day conference usually held the third week of January.  It is very informative and will give the board a better insight.

1.  Mel Olson has met with the construction crews that will start work the week of 4/25.  Restoration will be a priority and will commence before further installation of grinder pumps.  He will see to it that Class 5 is put on the manholes first thing.

2.  Mary Ann Sironen asked how we would be notified of this meeting.  Mike Appelwick will get Mary Ann Sironen on the newsletter mailing list.

Easements

1.  The Knute Nisswandt property doesn't have electricity to run a grinder pump.

2.  Skip Hildebrandt/

Beachway Motel is the only property between the Ryan Road and the Lester River not hooked up and flowing.

1.    Mary Frances Skala sent Mr. Nisswandt a letter asking him to come in with his plan, and he has not responded.  A process server (Brian Landstrom) charges $50 initially and each subsequent attempt is an additional charge. For further discussion at the May meeting

2.    Beachway Hotel is currently non-compliant.  Owner would not allow access to Agate Electric.  Mr. Hildebrandt brought his comments to the Board at a previous meeting.  His property must comply with D/NSSD ordinances. For further action at the May meeting.

KR-LSD

·         Frontier Pipeline is on site and ready to proceed with the KR-LSD detention tank.  Frontier has asked for a 92-day extension on their August 30 deadline.

·         A general meeting of users was held a week ago.  They decided to ‘grandfather’ Knife River in for the $750 connection fee, but Larsmont will have to pay the full cost.

·         There is a question of whether the $400,000 Corps funds will be issued.

·         Mary Frances Skala’s office had arranged a meeting with KR-LSD regarding the Mindestrom property for April 19, but this must now be rescheduled.

·         Lars Fladmark asked about the Army Corps of Engineers Environmental Assessment.  Larry Moon said it came back with a negative assessment.  KR-LSD still needs the Owners and Encumbrances report for the detention tank site.

·         The main agreement with KR-LSD is at WLSSD for review. 

Correspond-ence

1.       Joyce Seeley had asked for a review of her basement that has wider cracks in it since her sewer was installed. Mel Olson reviewed this property and sent a report to each Board member. See discussion in the construction report.

2.       Lars Fladmark received the preliminary negative finding and notice of the 30 day review period on the EAW for KR-LSD.

Legal Issues

·         There may be a short-term need to finalize a damage report for the S.J. Lewis matter. Board decided to hold the next meeting on May 4 (one week earlier than usual due to possible lack of a quorum on 5/11) and close the session to the public at 8:30 for a discussion with Joe Mihalik, D/NSSD counsel for this issue.

·         Mary Frances Skala distributed the legal statute regarding sewer extensions.

·         Mary Frances Skala distributed a list of the Board of Managers

Construct-ion Report

Discussion on the question of homeowners wishing to make changes in the plumbing that will alter the location of the connection to the sewer/soil pipe.  Mel Olson advises that construction plans cannot accommodate every change the homeowner wants to make.  Lars Fladmark suggested that the Board address these issues on a case by case basis.  It is logical that any changes to the house plumbing should be made before the sewer was hooked up.  Mel Olson said they could deal with limited changes, provided that:

1.       The changes must be within the easement area

2.       In order to stay on schedule, the connection of the grinder pump to the house will be made to the soil pipe when Frontier gets there.

3.       If the location of the soil pipe is changed, it must be under the foundation of the house

4.       If the grinder pump site must be moved, the additional cost is the responsibility of the homeowner

Restoration of yards will begin soon.

WLSSD

 

WLSSD is putting together a North Shore group for further discussion on land use planning. Discussion:

*        Controlling growth seems to be the issue: WLSSD is looking into statutory changes to have a role in this.

*        D/NSSD permits should be determined by allocation allowed in the WLSSD agreement.

*        Can WLSSD or DNSSD apportion this growth allocation or does the entire amount go to the first person who asks for it? Further investigation of this issue is needed.

*        Consensus is that D/NSSD and the Duluth Township Planning and Zoning boards will work together to expedite requests for new connections/buildings.

*        Does D/NSSD or WLSSD have grounds to deny a permit if we have capacity? 

Operations

NTS

 

·         Locating equipment has been purchased, and Eric Appelwick and Dan Nitz have been trained.

·         An unforeseen problem with winterizing the detention tank caused an emergency call to that facility.  Several methods were discussed, including anti-freeze and heat tape, to avoid further problems.

·         The Flow over Time chart shows a steep spike on 4/6 between 5 and 8 PM.  Mel Olson believes the chart is inaccurate due to a ‘bounce’ in the mag meter.  For further problem solving with WLSSD.

·         Joyce Seeley basement issue: The block foundation has been cracked and was said to have worsened since the installation of the sewer.  Since everything was directionally drilled, and the grinder pump is 35’ away it appears to be a ground-shift issue.  Conclusion:  D/NSSD is not responsible for the damage.

·         A complete NTS Operations report was distributed and is attached to the minutes. 

No New Business

Old Business

1.       Nisswandt electrical

2.   Capital Asset Plan

1.       Nothing to report

2.   Tabled for now; it will show up on the agenda again.

Motion by Rick Certano and seconded by Scott Smith to adjourn the meeting.  Unanimously approved.  Meeting adjourned.  Next meeting is at 0700 at French River Lutheran Church on Wednesday, May 4, 2005.  NOTE THE CHANGE IN DATE.

 

 

Approved (date):                                                                                                                                     

                                                            Chair                                                    Secretary